Chapter 140: 140 - - CHAPTER 140 -- Let's Think Together

The next day, I rode Ilimo to the Imperial Palace and had an audience with the Emperor.

I was taken to the usual meeting room near His Majesty's private chambers. Naturally, Prime Minister Gremont and His Highness Weiras were also summoned there. I'll tell them about yesterday's attack on Lamaron's army.

"Hmm. The enemy has pulled out. Then we must get the troops heading for the border."

His Majesty stares into the air and mutters to himself.

"But still, your leadership is brilliant as always..."

The Prime Minister shakes his head in exasperation.

"No, no. It's thanks to the soldiers that General Lafayence has trained. I didn't do anything.

"Still, I'm worried about 2,000 prisoners of war. What will you do now? Brother-in-law?"

His Highness Weiras looks worried. Since I became king, he has started calling me "brother-in-law. Well, it's not a mistake, but it's a little bit embarrassing. I was told that he was ordered by His Majesty to call me that.

"No, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I'm sure General Lafayence is escorting them back to the capital. I'm sure they will arrive today or tomorrow at the latest.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm talking about the treatment of the prisoners.

"Hmmm. I haven't thought about it at this point, but I think we're basically going to have to let them go. We'll negotiate with Ramallon, and if we can get compensation, we'll be happy, won't we?

Yes, that's what I'm talking about.

His Majesty interrupts me when he hears what I have to say.

"Regarding the prisoners of Ramallon who invaded earlier, I have asked to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, but I have not received any response. I have sent a messenger again to ask for negotiations, and have set a deadline for a reply, but there is no sign of movement at all. I am of the opinion that Ramallon does not have time for a dialogue about the prisoners of war. Perhaps the prisoners of war captured by Lord Rinos will be treated in the same way.

"...and then what happens?"

We can boil or burn them as we please. We can cut off all their heads at once, and Lamarohn won't complain."

"That's not very nice."

"Ha ha ha! I don't know what to say. After killing all 3000 of the Lamarong army that invaded the royal city of Juka, how can there be anything dangerous about it now?"

His Majesty is staring at me with mean eyes.

"Well, that was a joke, but I have nothing to say about the treatment of prisoners of war. It is up to you to decide. They were originally captured by Lord Rinos. If there is anything the Empire can do to help, please let us know. We will do our best to help.

"Yes..."

"Well, I'm here now. Now you may see the face of the heir, the Arrows."

I am escorted by His Majesty to his private chambers.

"What do you think, isn't he a fine-looking man?"

Sleeping peacefully in his cradle, Prince Arrows looks plump. Apparently, he looks like Queen Taunzet...or does he?

"This is... which of the two was he made to look like...?"

"I see the resemblance to Townsend."

"Oh, that's good."

"Mister Linos, is that disrespectful to me?"

His Majesty is a little angry. Oh no, I almost stepped on a land mine. I managed to settle the situation, put His Majesty back in a good mood, and left the castle.

After transferring to Agartha, I went to my room to do paperwork while preparing to receive the prisoners of war that Lafayence would bring with him. Then I called Rico and the others to discuss how to deal with the POWs.

"How are POWs usually treated?"

Rico immediately answers my question.

"There are two ways. If a soldier is captured when his country is invaded, he is sold into slavery. And if they are captured during a battle, it is usually negotiated between the nations to hand them over. I've heard that they often negotiate in terms of money, in the form of reparations.

"I see. But His Majesty the Emperor says that Heedata has sent an envoy to Ramallon for an exchange of prisoners, but has received no reply. So it is up to me to decide what to do with the prisoners in Ramallon. What do you think?"

"...I don't think the people of the capital will forgive those Lamarons."

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Theodar bit his lip as he spoke. He is the head of an organization that listens to the voices of the people of the city and works to resolve them. He is a man who is still in his thirties, but he has the ability to organize people and is trusted by the people of the city. He himself had lost his mother in the Lamarong invasion. He probably understands the feelings of the people of the city better than anyone else.

"Even so, we can't just cut off everyone's head."

Well, that's true, but...

"Why don't you just make them your slaves?

It was Gon who offered a helping hand.

"If they are slaves, it is possible to restrict their behavior, and if you see their aptitude, you can assign them to help rebuild the city, such as building work, or you can hire them as soldiers..."

I close my eyes and think. And then..,

"All right. As for the prisoners of war, we will make slaves of them. But those who wish to return to Lamaron will be sent to the border. Those who are enslaved we will take care of and they will help us rebuild the city. Those who have worked hard will be released from slavery. How about this?

"Master Linos, isn't that ... too generous?"

Theodore is not convinced.

"No, I think this is a good idea.

Sensing the atmosphere, Rico spoke up in favor of the proposal.

"Some of the soldiers who invaded this time must have been brought here willingly. I believe that many of them would like to return to their countries. And I believe that these prisoners of war have their families. I don't think they should be made to suffer the sorrow of losing their families. As for the POWs to be returned, Rinos and Gon should be the ones to judge.

"Okay. If you insist, Master Lycorette..."

Theodore hangs his head.

"Theodar, I know exactly how you feel. But returning hatred with hatred will always create new hatred. Somewhere, you have to break it off.

"Yes. I will keep this theodal in mind.

Rico's dignified posture is truly encouraging. Rico looks into my eyes with the same expression.

"By the way, what will you do with Matkal and the others?"

"Hmm."

As for the wizards and the sorcerers who could use recovery magic who were following Matkal and the others, they should be treated the same as ordinary prisoners of war, but not Matkal and the full-chinned bastard. After all, they are the commander and his deputy of the army that invaded this city. They are in a position to bear some responsibility.

"I have a feeling that Matkal will die himself if I tell him this, and Fulcin will beg for his life..."

Everyone falls silent. Apparently, they were all thinking the same thing.

"The best prisoner of war is Matkal, isn't he?

Gon looks around at us and opens his mouth.

"After all, she is the daughter of the emperor. Worst case scenario, Matkal can be used as a hostage. I think it will give us an advantage in any negotiations.

"No, but Gong, the emperor of Lamarong did not raise Matkal in his palace, but let his full-fat bastard father raise him, didn't he? You don't have a shred of affection, do you?"

"Ummm... I think the master has a good point..."

"Okay. I have an idea about Matkal. I would like to talk to Matkal, if that is all right."

Rico's eyes light up. He's got an idea. I immediately gave my permission.

"Now we just need to figure out what to do with the full-figured guy. Oh, and by the way, we captured Kargi's son too, didn't we? Let's think about what to do with him, too.

Our meeting continued until late in the evening.

In the end, Lafayence and his men could not return to the capital that day. Although they were only a few hours away from the capital, they said they would make camp and enter the capital in the morning. He wanted me to join him tomorrow morning and go with him into the capital. I agreed to this and returned to my residence in the capital with instructions to bring enough food for them.

The next day, I joined the old general's party. I was surprised to see that all of them had shined and polished armor and were neatly dressed. Lafayence was looking very handsome as he strode majestically at the front of the group in perfect formations. He led me on the front of the column on the Ilimo, and I made my triumphal return to the capital.

Naturally, the people of the city welcomed us with cheers. Then, the troops joined with those of Knogen and his men and formed a neat line, and under the command of the old general, they saluted me in a single, unrestrained movement. It is a secret that my right hand was trembling as I returned the salute in surprise and splendor.

After that, Gon and I went through the prisoners of war, and after we had identified those with criminal records, we told them what we were going to do.

"Raise your hands if any of you here now want to go back to Lamarong. We will take you to the border. The others will become slaves and help rebuild the city. You may stay on as soldiers if you wish. Those who work hard will be freed from slavery. As for the rest... we will feed you three meals a day, every day, and you will all eat!

In the end, about 60 people wanted to return to Lamaron, and I sent them to the border with enough food to feed them. Most of the POWs who chose to stay in Agartha were mercenaries hired by Lamaron, and these slave soldiers later became the strongest troops in the Agarthan army. But that is another story.

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